Sunday, September 21, 2014

September 18, 2014: People's Climate Change, New York City

Today, Sunday September 21, 2014 in New York City was the People's Climate March calling on the leaders of the world to do something real about climate change.

Of course I participated.

Organizers were hoping I’d be one of 100,000.

Turns out, I was one of an estimated 310,000.

It was quite an experience.

Most memorable moments:

Being at the front of the march (as a spectator) when it stepped off at 11:30 am. Lots of cheering. Lots of excitement.

Winding my way with thousands of others up Central Park West, looking for a place we could slip into the crowd.

Standing at 68th Street for over an hour not moving. Knowing the march had started, and knowing that if we weren’t moving yet, this march was massive.

The moment of silent followed by the “Sound the Alarm”. At 12:58 all noise in the crowd stopped and people just raised their hands into the air. It was in honor of all those that had already lost their lives due to the effects of climate change. Then, from uptown, we could hear it. This cacophony. It hadn’t reached us yet but it was coming. Getting closer. Getting louder. Then it overtook us and we were in it and we yell and screamed and I blew my whistle and it gave me chills. Massive chills.

The chants of “Show me what democracy looks like!” “This is what democracy looks like!”

Passing a group of people in Central Park holding an Earth Vigil. Even as people chanted loudly and banged drums and whooped it up, these people just sat there in silence. Holding vigil.

All the kids.

All the seniors.

The signs. Someday, I want to grow up and be someone who can make clever signs.

Now, people need to go vote in November!

And because this story, this experience, in many ways is simply best told through the visuals of the day, I’ll just post a ton of pictures (click the READ MORE)

The Crowds. THE CROWDS.

On Central Park West. On 59th. On 6th Ave. Everywhere you went. People people people.

And it was so colorful. So dynamic. So varied.

The Moment of Silence, with hands in the air.

The Earth Vigil

And I loved the people. I loved all the people!

Angry Granny from Oklahoma

Australia is in da house!

Young citizen of the world.

According to his dad, it was this young man’s first march. Awwww.

Quebec, Canada is also in da house!

This little girl would like to request you not cut down all the trees.

The black socks and shoes really make this outfit.

This find gentlewoman wasn’t walking very fast, but she was walking!

Antarctic penguins: no home, no job, need a miracle

Save the Humans!

Teach Science

Speaks for itself.

Where is the UN?

Make the change.

AND THE SIGNS

“To Change Everything, We Need Everyone”

“I want to hoist my 16-month-old daughter on my shoulders and say, ‘Look honey. All these people are here because they care about you, and all your little brothers and sisters and friends, too, because they want you to be happy and safe for your whole life. This is your family. Your tribe. Look how many of us there are.” ~Ashley Anderson